About Saint Francis of Assisi · Columbus, Ohio
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Parish is a historic Roman Catholic church located in the Victorian Village neighborhood of Columbus, Ohio, at 386 Buttles Avenue at the corner of Buttles and Harrison Avenues. Established on May 24, 1892, by Bishop John A. Watterson, the parish is part of the Diocese of Columbus and serves a diverse urban community centered on the Eucharist, Catholic tradition, Franciscan spirituality, and outreach to those in need. The current Romanesque-style church building, whose cornerstone was laid on September 1, 1895, and which was consecrated on August 23, 1896, has stood on the same corner for over 130 years. Today the parish is led by Fr. Antony Varghese, CFIC, as Pastoral Administrator, and offers weekend and weekday Masses, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, faith formation, music ministry, and pastoral outreach to nearby senior communities.
- Established
- 1892
- Patron
- Saint Francis of Assisi
- Rector
- Fr. Antony Varghese, CFIC (Pastoral Administrator)
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Columbus
Why belong here
St. Francis of Assisi is an intimate, historically rooted parish in Victorian Village that emphasizes the Eucharist, ongoing spiritual growth, and Franciscan-inspired simplicity. Members can participate in OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), Religious Education for children, a music ministry with both choir and organist, weekday and weekend Masses, weekly Friday confession, holy-day liturgies, and outreach to local seniors at Ohio Living Westminster-Thurber and Harrison on 5th. It is a good fit for Catholics in central Columbus who want a smaller, diverse community with deep ties to the neighborhood and a commitment to social justice, charity, and peace.
Mass times at Saint Francis of Assisi
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Fridays, 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- Ohio Living Westminster-Thurber – 2nd Monday of each month, 10:30 a.m.
Parish History
St. Francis of Assisi Parish was established on May 24, 1892, by Bishop John A. Watterson, second Bishop of Columbus. The first Mass was offered on July 12, 1892, by Father Alphonse M. Leyden on the second floor of an abandoned Methodist church at Collins and Pennsylvania Avenues. Bishop Watterson laid the cornerstone of the present church on September 1, 1895, and consecrated the completed building on August 23, 1896. The parish marked its centennial in 1996 and continues on its original corner in Victorian Village.
Parish Mission
St. Francis of Assisi describes itself as 'a diverse community of faith rooted in Christ' that follows the Roman Catholic tradition, seeks devotion to God as lived by St. Francis, centers its life on the Eucharist, and labors to transform society through social justice, charity, peace, and care for those experiencing poverty, illness, and discrimination.
Mass & Liturgical Schedule
Sunday Masses are celebrated at 9:00 a.m. (live-streamed via the parish website) and 11:00 a.m. Weekday Masses are celebrated Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 11:00 a.m., and on Fridays at 6:00 p.m. Holy Days follow a published schedule, and Christmas and New Year liturgies have their own times.
- Sunday: 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
- Tue/Wed/Thu: 11:00 a.m.
- Friday: 6:00 p.m.
- Solemnity of the Assumption (Aug 15): 7:00 p.m.
- All Saints (Nov 1): 7:00 p.m.
- Immaculate Conception (Dec 8): 7:00 p.m., preceded by Evening Novena at 6:30 p.m. from Nov 29 to Dec 7
- Mary, Mother of God (Jan 1): 10:00 a.m.
- Christmas Eve Vigil (Dec 24): 5:00 p.m.
- Christmas Day (Dec 25): 10:00 a.m.
Outreach to Senior Communities
In keeping with its mission to ease burdens of illness and isolation, the parish maintains regular pastoral ministry at two senior residences in the area: Ohio Living Westminster-Thurber and Harrison on 5th.
- Ohio Living Westminster-Thurber – 2nd Monday of each month: 10:30 a.m. Confessions; 11:00 a.m. Mass
- Harrison on 5th – 2nd Tuesday of each month: 1:30 p.m. Communion Service
Faith Formation & Sacramental Preparation
The parish offers adult Christian initiation through OCIA (formerly RCIA), coordinated by Kathleen Dancey, and ongoing Religious Education for children, coordinated by Diane Bowling. Weddings are arranged through the parish Wedding Coordinator, and Anointing of the Sick is available upon request, particularly in medical emergencies.
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)
- Religious Education for children
- Marriage preparation and Wedding Coordinator
- Anointing of the Sick (on call)
Music & Liturgical Arts
Liturgical music is supported by a Music Director and a separate Organist, providing music for weekend and holy-day liturgies. A painted portrait of the church by artist Mary Ann Bucci, completed in June 2000, is featured in parish materials.
- Music Director: Paula Vasey ([email protected])
- Organist: Laurel Marazita
Parish Staff
The parish is currently led by Fr. Antony Varghese, CFIC, as Pastoral Administrator, with Fr. Sudhakar Thirumalareddy, CFIC, in residence. A small staff and volunteer team manage the parish office, finances, music, and faith formation.
- Fr. Antony Varghese, CFIC — Pastoral Administrator
- Fr. Sudhakar Thirumalareddy, CFIC — In Residence
- Theresa Holleran — Office Manager / Wedding Coordinator ([email protected])
- Erin Bauder — Bookkeeper ([email protected])
- Paula Vasey — Music Director
- Laurel Marazita — Organist
- Kathleen Dancey — OCIA Coordinator
- Diane Bowling — Religious Education Coordinator
Getting Involved & Giving
Visitors and new parishioners can register online through the 'My Own Church' portal linked from the parish website, or by completing a paper registration form returned after Mass. The parish also offers online giving via a link on its website and accepts registrations and inquiries through the parish office during posted hours.
- Parish registration via 'My Own Church' (online) or paper form
- Online giving link on the parish website
- Parish office hours: Tuesday–Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Visiting & Contact
The parish office is located at 386 Buttles Avenue, Columbus, OH 43215, on the corner of Buttles and Harrison Avenues in the Victorian Village neighborhood. Telephone: 614-299-5781 (Fr. Antony Varghese, ext. 2; Office Manager, ext. 1). Email: [email protected].
- Address: 386 Buttles Avenue, Columbus, OH 43215
- Phone: 614-299-5781
- Office Hours: Tue–Fri, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
- Email: [email protected]
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Alphonse M. Leyden1892
Celebrated the first Mass of the newly established parish on July 12, 1892, on the second floor of an abandoned Methodist church at Collins and Pennsylvania Avenues.
- Bishop John A. Watterson1895–1896
Second Bishop of Columbus; laid the cornerstone of the present church on September 1, 1895, and consecrated it on August 23, 1896.
- Fr. Fritzner Valcinprior to current administration
Served as Pastoral Administrator before Fr. Antony Varghese; current staff pages no longer list him, but a cached/older version of the About page identifies him as Pastoral Administrator.
- Fr. Antony Varghese, CFICcurrent
Current Pastoral Administrator; member of the Congregation of the Sons of the Holy Family (CFIC).
- Fr. Sudhakar Thirumalareddy, CFICcurrent
Listed as In Residence.
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